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Angiostrongylus chabaudi in felids: New findings and a review of the literature.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Giannelli, Alessio 
Kirkova, Zvezedlina 
Abramo, Francesca 
Latrofa, Maria Stefania 
Campbell, Bronwyn 

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary infections by Angiostrongylus chabaudi affect domestic and wild felids but, due to limited information on the biology of this nematode, its pathogenicity remains unclear. This article describes the histopathological alterations associated with Angiostrongylus infection in a wildcat from Bulgaria, and reviews current literature on this feline angiostrongylid. Nematodes were isolated from lung lavage and faecal samples of a road killed wildcat in Southern Bulgaria. The morphological identification of parasite larvae as A. chabaudi was confirmed by molecular analysis of part of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Upon histopathological examination, severe granulomatous pneumonia, ranging from multifocal to coalescing, and pulmonary vascular lesions were observed. Extensive alveolar collapse, alveolar emphysematous changes, parenchymal haemorrhages and small artery wall hyperplasia were observed in the parenchyma adjacent to the granulomas. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of cross-sections of adult female parasites within the lumen of the pulmonary artery branches, the intima altered markedly by subendothelial proliferation and oedematous changes. This study compliments current knowledge of the pathogenesis of feline angiostrongylosis by A. chabaudi in wildcats, as well as of the distribution of this little-known parasite.

Description

Keywords

Angiostrongylus chabaudi, Feline angiostrongylosis, Histological alterations, Pathogenicity, Wildcat, Angiostrongylus, Animals, Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid, Bulgaria, Feces, Felidae, Female, Lung, Pulmonary Artery, Strongylida Infections

Journal Title

Vet Parasitol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0304-4017
1873-2550

Volume Title

228

Publisher

Elsevier BV